During Wednesday (24th January 2018) afternoon the daily 11:15am RadioSonde launch from Camburne, Cornwall decided to make its way to Wiltshire rather than France, as is the norm at the minute. I left work mid afternoon to go home and collect my kit, arriving near Dauntsey, Wiltshire at 16:00. I then proceeded to triangulate the RadioSonde’s position using standard techniques. Once I got close enough I was able to run the SondeMonitor software (below) to see exactly where the RadioSonde was laying.

I was able to get the car to within 1/2 mile of ground zero. The ground to the RadioSonde however was very wet with a soggy boot gained. Once I entered the field the RadioSonde balloon was very obvious. At Ground Zero I found the balloon and parachute. Following a 60ft thread I found the Vaisala RS41 RadioSonde still chirping away.

All three items were taken away for examination and evidence. The balloon was not shredded but has two holes. The parachute is in perfect working order. The RS41 still works and will be kept in original order.

As soon as the next one comes up this way (Bristol UK) I will be on the hunt. Additionally I have found that the unit can be reloaded with different software.

On Saturday 29th July the TSGARC visited the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton.

A good day was had viewing aircraft from the start of flight through to models of the Royal Navy’s new Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers and the new F35B Joint Strike Fighter. Aircraft viewed included the iconic Wessex helicopter seen below.

So how many times have we wanted to get a rope over a tall tree? American amateurs have a great solution but unfortunately, I suspect, its not possible for us here in the UK. 🙁

The solution is in episode 263 of Ham Nation (21 mins into the show) and is entitled ‘Coax and how To Get it 200 Feet into the Air!’. Whilst Ham Nation is always worth watching I’ve also put the manufacturers video below too.

This month, the RSGB have published their strategy for the next five years. The outline provides a short summary of their Purpose, Values, Goals and Priorities but they have also made available a five page document that provides more details.

There a few club members who know Morse code and would like to improve their skills in one way or another. Speaking with members, I’ve heard mention of FISTS but never of CWOPS. I know an amateur who has spent the last year with the CWOPS Academy program and who has greatly increased their speed and accuracy of receiving and sending.

Not to be forgotten is also the slow Morse transmissions by amateurs here in the UK on behalf of the RSGB. This is how I originally learnt the code.

Using the excellent Radio Mobile program by Roger VE2DBE, I’ve produced a 144.3MHz coverage map for our current setup at the club-house. For info about the antenna, losses, power etc see the first page.